They are eligible to play in Saturday's game against New Hampshire, coach Kevin Morris said, but he did not say they would. Athletic Director John McCutcheon said the reinstatement is in keeping with university drug and alcohol policies that apply to all athletes.

Athletes can be suspended for 10 percent of their season for these violations. The four players missed last week's 43-27 loss to Delaware.

McCutcheon said sanctions would be considered later, depending on legal action this is still pending. He also said university officials could consider further action at a later date.

The players were arrested in downtown Amherst just before midnight on Oct. 1. Each was charged with possession of a class B substance, according to Amherst police. The UMass Athletic Department announced the following day that all four players were suspended from the team for violation of athletic department and team rules.

Mele and Viveiros were also charged for being in possession of false identifications. All pleaded innocent to charges in court and were released.

The four were arrested behind a building at 11 East Pleasant St. after an officer on bicycle patrol observed them acting suspiciously and stopped to investigate.

Police would not say what the drugs were pending confirmation of lab tests. Under state law, class B substances include cocaine, crack cocaine, LSD, OxyContin, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and methadone.